Pet tech is ridiculous, and I hate how badly I want it

A writer says a recent vet scare made pet tech feel more practical, not just gimmicky.

Products like smart feeders, GPS trackers, pet cameras, and app-linked collars promise reassurance and easier daily care.

At CES 2026, PETKIT showed an AI-enabled water fountain, underscoring how connected pet gear is expanding.

The tradeoff is frustration with subscriptions, since monitoring and analytics are increasingly sold as recurring services.